These readings allowed me to gain a more in-depth understanding of the situation that unfolded in Guatemala. What I found really interesting is that there was a greater focus on the reality of Indigenous people on the ground, and of the violence that they were victims to. I already had knowledge about the actions of the United Fruits Company, as well as the military involvement of the US, but know I have a better understanding of what all this ultimately meant to the people on the ground. The horrors that they went through seems to defy imagination, though my readings of Rigoberta Menchu paints a gruesome picture. For me, this truly states the danger of a too powerful military forces that is unleached against it's own people instead of an external threat.
The most horrible thing in all of this to me, however, is the stance of complete lack of responsibility taken by the military as well as it's apparent ease of de-humanizing those that they were fighting against. The victims of this violence were, for the most part, innocents, though they were proclaimed to be affiliated with resistance fighters. And even if they were, who can blame them? The political system was corrupt and didn't care for it's people. There was no food, no work, no respect, people couldn't live, and Indigenous people were treated like dirt. In circumstances like these, I would be part of the insurrection too. But this outlines the danger of the creation of an "us versus them" attitude being indoctrinated. As soon as a segment of a country's population starts pointing the blame at another segment, and takes action against it, all hell breaks loose. I know that this is a long shot, but I can't help thinking of the waves of repression that have begun sweeping Occupy movements, and the brutality of the police forces in general when people try to break loose and defy the status quo. If we can't trust out armed forces to listen to us and protect us, who can we trust?
Us vs. them. No responsibility. No accountability. Sounds strikingly similar to the case in Argentina. I think by creating that dichotomy it is easier for those in power to justify their actions or the state terror instigated by their military. It also simplifies a very multifaceted situation that cannot be understood by dividing the population in two. It also divides people against one another that would normally side together. For example, they would force people to write down names of possible subversives, and would keep them detained until they completed the task.
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